Vehicle top



May 31, 1927.

M. J. FoRRErsTx-:R

VEHICLE TOP Filed April 8. 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 31, 1927. 1,630,739

M. J. FORRESTER VEHICLE TOP Filed April 8, 1924 '7 SheetS-Sheet 3 Ma 1 l 1630739 y 3 927 M. J. FoRREsTER I' VEHICLE TOP Filed April 8, 1924 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 o, e /N 71 Q fs e) a f3 /NVENTOR Bygwmvwwe A TTORNE Y May 31, 1927. 1,630,739

M. J. FORRESTER VEHICLE TOP Filed April 8. 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 M. J. FORRESTER VEHI CLE TOP INVENTO/e 7 lSheets-Sheet 6 s M m Umlllmwm D. if. ,y Wsw ,i L

May 31 1927.

M. J. FoRREsTER VEHICLE TOP Filed April 8. 1924 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 r i ,l N

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Fu top which may be quickly an conveniently A im Patented May 31, 1927.

MICHAEL J. .'F'RRESTER, 0F ASTIt-IA, NEW' YGRK, ASSIGNOR 'lO FIFTH AVENUE COACH GMPANY, A GRPORATION OF NEWT YORK.

VEHCLE TGP.

Application filed April S,

rlhis invention relates to vehicle tops dcsigned to protectthe passengers or occupants ot vehicles from the weather, and the invention has reference more particularlyY 5 to tops tor use in connection with motor vehicles having;` a floor or deck equipped with seats ttor the accommodation oit pas.`- songer-s.

rilhe aim ot the invention is to provide a extended or set up to active position when Vthe passenger space is to be covered, and may be as quickly and conveniently tolded or knocked down7 to inactive position;

whereby the passenger space or deck may Vbe quickly converted into open or closed` condition according to the weather.

lilith these'and other objects in view, thc invention consists ot a vehicle top comprising', in combination, curtain supporting members extending' over the passenger` space or floor, and movable to inactive position out ot the wav, and curtains extendingover and supported by said members and cover ing' the passenger space or door and adapted to be folded to expose the same.

rl`hc invention consists also in the torni and relation of the curtain supportingg` ineinbers `to the passenger seats which will periuit -the curtain supporting members to be housed between the seats when in inactive position.

.lhe invention consists also in the combination with a top comprising' the movable curtain supporting' members and the toldable curtains. the latter terminating short ot the ends oit the passenger tloor, ot closures or covers 'tor the ends ot the` tloor, said closures adapted, when the curtains are extended, to torni continuations of the saine and cover the ends ot the floor.

The invention consists also in the details, construction and combination ot parts hereinatter described andv claimed. ln the accompanying' drawings:

Fig. l is a loniijitudinal sectional elevation oi. the in'iproved vehicle top applied to the upper deck ot a double deck motor bus, showing the curtain supporting' members in active position and thc curtains extended to cover the deck. i

Fig. 2 is a similar' view of the curtain supporting members .in inactive position and the curtains folded to expose the deck.

Fig. 3 is a plan view ot the parts shown 192e. serial ne 704,925.

in Fig. i?, with portions broken away to eX- pose other portions to view.

Fig. Ll is a transverse section on the line al1-eloi Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a similar view with the curtain ksupporting;` members in active position, and

the curtains extended and supported thereby, and showing in elevation the closure for the rear end ot the passenger door.

Fig. G is a perspective view on a reduced scale ot two adjacent seats showing the manner in which the curtain supporting` inembers are housed between the seats when in inactive position.

Fig. 7 is a section on an enlarged scale on thc line 7 7 ot Fig, l illustrating how the outer ends ot the curtains are fastened in place when extended.

F S is a perspective view of the i'orward cud ot' the top with the front hood and the curtains extended, portions ot said parte being broken away. V

Fig. 9 is a transverse section through one side ot the improved top showing the root member thereof in moditied 'form and the curtain roller journaled therein, in order to give greater head room on the passengertloor.

Fig. l0 is -a transverse sectional elevation illustrating; a modification oit the invention in respect to the support ot the curtain rollersQ Fig'. 11 is a side elevation of a double deck motor bus equipped with a top provided with end closures in modified torni.

Referring to the drawings:

In the .accompanying drawings the invention is illustrated by wayv of example as einbodied in a top applied to the upper deck ot a double deck motor bus, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to such particular application, but may be employed well in connection with a vehicle having' a single deck or passenger floor, or tor other and similar uses.

Referring particularly to l to 8, l designates the passenger floor, in this in stance, the upper deck of a motor vehicle, having" ateach side a row ot seats with a central aisle between the rows, and surrounded bv a front rail 2, side rails 3 and a rear rail l, which latter is shown as eidending` torwardlv obliquely as at 5 and terminating' inward ot the rear end ot the adjacent side rail so as to leave an opening as at 6 tor the entrance ot' passengers. The front, side, and

end rails are surn'ionnted by glass panels or sashes 2n, 3, and il through which the ont` side may be viewed by the passengers oceupyiing the seats.

T designates a narrow root section or me1nber which is supported some distance over the deck by two rows of supporting columns S fixed to and rising trom the deck, which root memlfler extends |ongitudinally` ol the deck over the central aisle and terminates at its ends inward of the ends ol the deck as best shown in Fig. 3. This roel section consists in the present instance ot two parallel beams tl spaced laterally from each other and `iiXed on edge to the upper ends ot the two rows ol` columns il, and a horizontal hoard or plate it) it' stened to the upper sides ol the beams This plate projects at its side and end edges liieyond thesides and ends ot the beams and is provided with depending side walls l] and depending,r end walls l2 which form in connection with the two beams, longitudinal channels or spaces 13 at the outer sides oit the her-uns.` which chan nels are open at their bottoms.

Journa'led in each ot these channels between the end walls thereof' is a spring`V actu` ated curtain roller lil, towhich rollers the inner endsot curtains 15 are attached so that the curtains can be rolled up on the rollers and housed in the channels as shown in Fig. fl, or can be drawn out laterally and extended to cover the passenger floor shown in Fig. The curtains when thus drawn out extend over and are supported by curtain supporting members 1G oit which there `are `in the present `instance two series orsets,

one set at each sideo't the deck7 with three supporting1 members in each set1 and a fourth member 17 at the rea'r end ot the set, of slightly diilerent form as will be more fully described later on. These curtain supportingmembers are pivoted at their outer ends to the side rails on a lore-and-aft axis so that the members of each set can be swung independently of each other np to active position to support the two curtains as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and may be swung down to inactive position when the curtains are rolled up as shown in Fig, 4, the said members when down in inactive position being' housed between the seats and out of the way.

Each ot the supporting members except the members li', consists in the present instance of two parallel prop arms 18 connected together at their outer ends by an outer end arm 19, and two parallel supporting arms 2O connected at their outer ends to the inner ends of the yprop arms in angular relation thereto and an inner -end arm 2l connecting the inner ends ot the supporting arms, the members thus constituted being each in the form of a single unitary structure.

The outer end arms 19 ofthe supporting members are mounted in bearings 22 susrails, and the siuuiortimr arms will extend horizontally inwardly toward llu` root' meulber` in which position they will he suiumrted l'roni the root n'u-uuber by means ol braclnt arms 23 extendingl outwardly al' iulcrial trom the lower edges oll the two beaune ll o the rooll member, and loruuul on their in ner sides Vwith open sockets 2li. rl` le rcla'tiiul oi these sockets to the inner end arms El ol the supporting' memliers is such that when the supporting; members are swoon` upward ly, the said end arms will more in `the pathz-i imlicatcd by the dotted liuesio ,'lfigiz. l and will enter the sochcts in the ln'aclrct arms as shown in Fig. El iu which position ther7 are confined by means oit reu'uni'ahle l'aslcning pins exteiulhui through holes in the ln'zrcket arms. lllheu the simportinfcr arms are swung,r downwardly to inactive position, the inner end arms 2i will cuter sorltels in cleats 2li extending longitudinally at the sides ot the aisle between adjacent seals and secured to the 'lloor or deck. the supporlimg: arms Qt) or each member will extend Vertically along' the inner ends ot" a'djiufent struts, and the prop arms ltlwill entend along); the backs ot adjacent seats as shown in Fig. l5. lu

this way the supporting members iii their lower inactive position will he compactly housed between the seats and out ol the way.

lt will be understood :from the lorcgoiui;n description that with the curtains rolled up and the cin-tain sinmorting;` nunulwrs in i u active position as shown in Fin: -l the pas songer tloor will he completeh: euposcd and uncovered exc-"1s it tor the narrow lolrg'itiulinal root member: :uulwhen it is desired to cover the 'Floor to protect the passengers against the weatherthe curtain supportiiu: members are tirst swung' upwardly and their inner end arms 'fastened in the sockets in the bracket arms as describeib and the two curtains are drawn outwardly and their outer ends brought down and las-:tened at intervals to the upper edc'cs ot the sash 2l as shown in ltigrs. and S7 the curtains in this position being: supported by the supporting' .memluu's and cr:nstuitutingjr a top or cover which in connection with the root" meniber will completely coter the top and sides oll the pas-lenga* floor. To enable the curtains to be conveniently `fastened to the sash, and readily detached, the curtains are formed with holes or eyes 2T at intervals along their end edges` and on their inner sides they haya attached to them at inten vals corresponding to the holes, straps 28 which straps `are likewise rovided with holes.` The holes in the curtains are passed lill lllli l lll C) Ln v ho also covered or uncovered as desired7 a trout end closure 3l isprovidi-:d for the front end ot the passenger [loor, and a rear end closure 32 is provided t'or the rear end ot the saine. The liront end closure, in the Ytorni ot the invention illustrated in Figs. l to 8, consists ot' a flexible hood haringl a top portion 33 and two connected side portions 3d, the said top portion being' curved downwardly at the trent so as to 'form the trent end ot the hood. This hood is adapted to be fastened at its inner edge along the forward edges of the two curtains l5 by suitable fastening,` devices or buttons 235, and it is adapted to be fastened along its lower edge to the front sash 2 and the side sash 3', by pins or buttons Btl on the 'sash and straps 37 in the hood siinilar to the pins and straps employed tor 'fastening the ends of the curtains when extended. The hood when thus 'fastened in place tornis a forward con-` tinuation of the curtains 15 and completely covers the forward end of the passenger tloor7 it being` understoodthat the hood may be readily detached or 'fastened in place to perinit its convenient application or remoral as desired. `When fastened in Qlaee the hood is supported and maintained extended by two outer bow rods 88 and two inner bow rods 39 as best shown in Fig. 8. 'if he outer bow rods are detachably connected at their lower ends by means of removable -histening' bolts et() to lugs 41 iized to the side sash 3, and at their upper ends the rods are removably seated in sockets in the upper ends of the'tront prop arms ot the two trent curtain supporting members l5. '.lhe two inner bow rods 39 are similarly fastened at their lower ends to the lugs 4l and are curved inwardly towards each other and have their upper ends seated removably in sockets in the upper ends ot the two front columns 8, the two sets or bow rods when thus 'li'astened in position toi-ming` in'ettlect an open traineworl; over which the hood lits and by which it is supported in extended condition as shown in Fig. 8.

The rear end closure 32 consists oit a flex# ible hood having a top portion 42, a rear end portion tpand two side portions iiln and it is buttoned along its inner edge to the rear edge of that curtain l5 which is distant from the passenger entrance 6 and along' the inner portion of the rear edge ot the other cnrtain, and at its lower edge the hood is fastened to the side sash and the end sash, by suitable fastening plus and straps which may be similar to tl'iose employed in connection with the Vfront closure. The hood when las`- tened in place is supported in extended eondition by ineans ot an outer bow rod Ll, an inner bow rod Aiti. and an intermediate bow rod et?. The outer bow rod is detachably Jfastened at its lower end to the rear sash it by a tastening bolt i8 and lug similar to the bolts and h aniployed in coi'inecting the 'iirwward bon loris, and at its upper end the bow rod l5 is .seated reinoralily `in a socket in the upper end oit the prop arm ot l the rear curtain suppertinp` ineniber l?. The intermediate bow rod li is 'fastened at it lower end detachably to the sash Il by a toning' bolt and hu;l similar to those justI referred to, and at its upper end it is seated removably in a socket in the rear colninn 8 at the right hand side ot the aisle in Fig. 5. rllhe inner bow rod lo is t'astened at its lower end to the oblique end portion ot the sash l by means ot' a fasuaiinp` bolt and lug` similar to the other :fasteningbolts and luga and at its upper end it removably seated in a hole or socket in the upper end olf the rear column 8 at the lett hand side otl the aisle in F `1 three bow rods when f i). )`hese fastened in place as described, 'torni in et tect an open traine over which the rearhood tits and by which it supgvmrted in extended condition to cover the rear end ot the passenger floor, it being noted that in this case, due to the passenger entrance (i, the hood terminates short oit' the rear end ot the adjacent side rail 3 so as not to obstruct the passenger entrance.

As before stated, each oit the curtain sup porting nieinba's with the exception oit rear terminal ones l?. is made up ot pairs ot parallel angularly related arms.. "lhese tei minal members however consist, each 'olf' a single prop arni it and a single supportingl arin 20 as best shown in Fig.

In Fig. 9 a niodilied torni ot the root member is showin the object being' to rire greater head room on thc passenger tloor than is arailable with the lirst torni ot the root member described. n this ease the upper plate ltrL of the root' member 7" does not extend dmrnwardly as in the .liz-st. instance described to form side and end walls, but is extended outwardly beyond the longitudinal rails or beams 9 which latter have fixed to their end sides, roller supportingl brackets() between which and the under sides of the protecting' ends ot' the root ot the plate, the curtain rollers l-l are housedn This produces a tlat root member and gives considerably more orerhead space than the first roof member described with its depending; end and side walls. The supporting brackets 50 are formed similarly to the the4 lili

insonne members pivotally supported at their outer ends by the vehicle on fore-and-aft axes and comprising each parallel prop arms extending upwardly, connected parallel supporting arms extending inwardly and a longitudinal inner arm connecting' the inner ends of the supporting arms, and curtains extended over and supported by said supporting mem-- bers and adapted to be folded, said supporting members being adapted to be swung downwardly to inactive position with the prop arms extending along the backs of the seats, the supporting arms extending along the ends of the seats, and the inner arms erf.'- tending between the inner ends of adjacent seats.

5. In combination with a vehicle havin 0j seats,` a top comprising curtain supporting` members each having parallel prop arms, connected parallel supporting arms, an outer arm connecting the outer ends of the prop arms, and an inner arm connecting the inner ends of the supporting arms, said outer arms being pivotally7 supported by the vehicle on a fore-and-aft axis with the snp porting arms extending over the vehicle, a longitudinal roof member supported over the vehicle, means for fastening the inner arms of the supporting members detaclnibly to said roof member, and curtains connected with the roof member and extended over and supported by `the supporting` members and adapted to be folded and housed by tl e roof member, said supporting members bef ing adapted to be swung down to inactive position with the prop arms and supporting arms extending along the backs and ends respectively of the seats, and the inner arms extending between adjacent seats.

6. In combination with a vehicle having a passenger floor, a top for said floor com* prising curtain supporting members ex tending over the floor, curtains extending over and supported by the said meinbers and terminating at one of their side edges inward of the end of the floor, said curtains being adapted to be folded, and said supporting members being movable to inactive position out of the way when the curtains are folded, and an end closure for the licor comprising outer bow rods detachably connected respectively w`th the vehicle and with an overhead support, and a flex* ible hood detachably connected with said curtains and extended over and supported by said bow rods to cover the end of the floor.

.7. In combination with a passenger Hoor provided with side and front rails and with a rear rail extending at one vend forwardly and terminating at its end inwardly of the rear end of Jthe adjacent side rail so as to leave a passenger entrance, a top for said floor comprising curtain supporting members eic'ending above the deck and movable to inactive position ont of the way, curtains extended over and supported by said snpporting nienibers and terminating at their rear edges short of the rear end of the Hoor, an outer bow rod detachably connected re spectivelj.' with the rear end rail and with the adjacent curtain supporting member, an inner bow rod detachably connected respectively with the terminal portion of the end rail and with an overhead support, and a flexible hood detachably connected with the rear edge of one of the first mentioned cur tains and extended over and supported by said bow rods to cover the end of the floor, said hood terminating short of the rear end of the side rail so as not to obstruct the passenger entrance.

In testimony whereof, I have aiiiXed my signature hereto.

MICHAEL J. FORRESTER. 

